In a heartfelt Instagram video, Bryan Ruby, an openly gay minor league baseball player and country music singer, recently made a passionate plea for the city of Franklin, Tennessee to allow the celebration of Pride to take place. The governing board in Franklin was set to vote on the future of the Pride festival in their city, which had attracted opposition from the likes of former SNL cast member Victoria Jackson.
Ruby, who is now based in Nashville to focus on his music career, came out in 2021, making him the only out active professional baseball player at the time. In the video, he shared his personal experience growing up with a ton of shame about his sexual identity and how important it is for young LGBTQ+ individuals to have the opportunity to celebrate Pride.
“It’s important – sometimes life-saving – to allow celebrations of Pride to happen because a lot of us, myself included, grew up with a ton of shame about who we are,” Ruby said in the video. “It just feels like a huge insult that our home is now been telling people like me that we should be ashamed again about who we are.”
The governing board eventually voted to authorize a permit for Pride, with Franklin Mayor Ken Moore casting the deciding vote. Ruby was scheduled to perform a “non-controversial, family-friendly set of inclusive country music” and his 501(c)(3) nonprofit, We Are Proud To Be In Baseball, was scheduled to have a booth at the festivities.
However, the LGBTQ+ community in Tennessee has faced challenges with recent legislation. The state passed a law criminalizing drag shows, which has been temporarily blocked by a federal court while it is challenged in the courts.
Despite these challenges, the LGBTQ+ community in Tennessee remains resilient and committed to promoting inclusivity and acceptance. Ruby’s message serves as a reminder that Pride celebrations are not only a time of joy and celebration but also an opportunity to affirm the worth and well-being of all LGBTQ+ individuals.